The names that trend in Kansas City usually belong to Super Bowl MVPs or barbecue pitmasters. But in April 2025, a different name took over the local news cycle for all the wrong reasons. Kendall Coleman. It wasn't a sports highlight. Honestly, it was a nightmare for everyone involved.
You might have seen the grainy video. It looks like something out of an action movie, but the consequences were very real. A group of ATVs and dirt bikes were swarming downtown Kansas City, specifically near Truman Road and Main Street. It’s a recurring problem in the city—illegal street riding—but this time it turned violent.
The Night Everything Changed at Truman and Main
On April 12, 2025, the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) tried to put a stop to a group of riders. One officer stepped in to pull a driver off an ATV. That driver was later identified as 27-year-old Kendall S. Coleman.
What happened next is hard to watch.
According to court records and police footage, Coleman didn’t just try to get away. He reversed the vehicle, which knocked the officer to the pavement. Then, in a move that Prosecutor Melesa Johnson described as intentional, Coleman allegedly popped a wheelie. He didn't just drive off; he dropped the front tires onto the officer while he was still on the ground.
The officer was run over by all four tires. Coleman sped away.
The Manhunt and the Colorado Connection
For a few days, the trail was cold. The KCPD lost sight of the rider after a high-speed chase where the ATV was seen weaving through southbound traffic while traveling northbound on I-35. Imagine that for a second. Head-on traffic on a major highway. It was absolute chaos.
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The break in the case didn't come from high-tech surveillance. It came from the community. An anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers pointed the finger at Kendall Coleman.
But Coleman wasn't in Missouri anymore.
Authorities eventually tracked him to Colorado Springs. It turns out, he had some help getting there. His father, Mark Coleman, was later charged with hindering the prosecution of a felony. Police used license plate readers to track the vehicle the elder Coleman used to ferry his son across state lines.
It’s a messy family situation. A son on the run, a father trying to protect him, and a police officer left with serious injuries back in Kansas City.
Legal Fallout for Kendall Coleman Kansas City
When Kendall Coleman was finally brought back to Jackson County, the charges were heavy. This wasn't just a traffic ticket.
- First-Degree Assault: Because of the nature of the wheelie and running over the officer.
- Armed Criminal Action: In Missouri, an ATV can be considered a "weapon" if used to cause harm.
- Aggravated Fleeing: For the dangerous stunt on I-35.
Prosecutor Melesa Johnson didn't mince words. She made it clear that "reckless driving and attacks on law enforcement" wouldn't be tolerated. This case has actually sparked a much larger debate in City Hall about how to handle the "sideshow" culture in KC.
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The Bigger Picture: Dirt Bikes and City Policy
If you live in Kansas City, you know the sound. The high-pitched whine of dirt bikes and ATVs tearing through residential streets. It’s been a headache for years. But the Kendall Coleman incident pushed things over the edge.
Now, there’s a serious proposal moving through the City Council. Councilman Chrisman Reya has been pushing for a law that would allow the city to not just seize, but destroy ATVs and dirt bikes involved in illegal street racing or assaults.
Some people think it's too much. Coleman’s own attorney, Chris Scott, argued that seizing and destroying vehicles is unnecessary because "the laws already exist." He pointed out that these vehicles often have multiple owners or liens on them. Why punish a bank or a co-owner for one person's reckless choices?
It’s a fair question, but the city seems tired of waiting. The officer involved has thankfully recovered, but the trauma of that night at Truman and Main is still fueling policy changes in 2026.
Sorting Out the Identities
There’s a bit of confusion online that needs clearing up. If you search for "Kendall Coleman Kansas City," you might find an old profile for a defensive end who played at Syracuse and had a stint with the Indianapolis Colts.
That is not the same person.
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The Kendall Coleman involved in the Kansas City ATV incident is a local resident, aged 27 or 28 depending on the report. It’s an unfortunate name coincidence for the athlete, but the two lives couldn't be more different. One was known for sacks on the football field; the other is now known for a viral video of a police assault.
What Happens Now?
The legal process is slow. Coleman has been facing the reality of a long-term prison sentence if convicted on the top counts. Meanwhile, the KCPD has increased patrols in the downtown corridor to prevent "takeovers" before they start.
If you're following this case, here is what you should keep an eye on:
- The Destruction Ordinance: Watch the City Council votes. If the city starts crushing ATVs, it marks a massive shift in how Kansas City handles "nuisance" vehicles.
- The Trial Dates: Assault on a law enforcement officer carries significant weight in Missouri. The outcome of Coleman’s trial will likely set a precedent for future "fleeing" cases.
- Community Reporting: The fact that a tip led to the arrest shows that the "no snitching" culture has its limits when an officer is run over.
Staying informed about local safety is about more than just reading headlines. It's about seeing how one moment of "showing off" on an ATV can change the laws of an entire city.
Next Steps for Residents
If you witness illegal street racing or dangerous ATV clusters in Kansas City, do not attempt to intervene yourself. Report the location and direction of travel to the KCPD non-emergency line or use the anonymous Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS. Following the legislative updates on the "Vehicle Seizure and Destruction" ordinance through the Kansas City Clerk’s office can also give you a voice in how your neighborhood is policed.